Jiang Lao Yezi's face suddenly turned grim, and he raised his hand to slap him.
*Pa~*
The slap was crisp, leaving Jiang Bo stunned on the spot.
"Father..."
"How can I have such a foolish son? What is left in your heart besides filth and disgust? I taught you long ago that to win people's hearts, you must give your own. Only then can you command their loyalty. Yet all your actions are despicable and vulgar. If this continues, the entire family will be led to ruin by your crooked ways."
Jiang Lao Yezi's face contorted, his eyes nearly bursting, as if he wished to crush his own son.
The most crucial factor in a large family's enduring prosperity is the leader's profound wisdom.
How could a family flourish under the leadership of someone like Jiang Bo, blinded by greed and devoid of ambition?
Jiang Bo lowered his head, daring not to utter a word, not even breathing too heavily.
Although he was the head of the Jiang family, the true power remained in the hands of the elder. As long as the elder spoke, his position as family head could be revoked at any moment.
However, despite not daring to retort to the elder outwardly, he held him in utter contempt inwardly.
Times had changed. In the current society, everyone pursued maximum profit. The elder's outdated ideology had long been scorned.
After half an hour of scolding, the elder's rage finally subsided. "Get out and tell your lackeys that if I ever find them committing evil deeds again, I will break their dog legs."
With a sharp command, Jiang Bo quickly and shamefully fled.
Returning to his residence, he immediately summoned his confidants and began formulating a plan against Ye Fan...
Meanwhile, Ye Fan, accompanied by Jiang Zhitao, arrived at a spacious room.
"Brother Ye, please rest for a while. I'll go see how the banquet arrangements are coming along and call you later."
Jiang Zhitao deeply admired Ye Fan, his "Brother Ye."
Now that Ye Fan had helped the family immensely, Jiang Zhitao's respect for him deepened.
Ye Fan nodded, then briefly washed his face before lying down to rest.
Only after Jiang Zhitao's footsteps faded did Ye Fan open his eyes, recalling the scene of his meeting with the Jiang family members.
Jiang Lao Yezi was undoubtedly domineering and shrewd, but he possessed a righteous nature and a good grasp of the overall situation.
In contrast, Jiang Bo gave him an ambiguous impression.
He seemed outwardly enthusiastic but harbored dark intentions deep within.
From Jiang Bo's expressions and reactions during their conversation, Ye Fan could discern this.
Moreover, Ye Fan sensed a subtle feeling of danger from Jiang Bo.
If Jiang Bo were an upright person, Ye Fan would never have felt this way.
"It seems I need to guard against this person in the future. Jiang Lao Yezi and Jiang Zhitao are individuals worth befriending, but Jiang Bo..."
The Jiang family's banquet was exceptionally lavish. Because Ye Fan had greatly aided the family, the elder had personally instructed that Ye Fan be treated with the highest degree of courtesy.
During the meal, the Jiang family's high-ranking members came to toast Ye Fan, who naturally accepted every offer.
Once everyone had offered their toasts, the elder whispered in Ye Fan's ear, "Little Ye, since you and Tao'er are close, I hope you will look after this young man more in the future. I understand his temperament; he's accustomed to acting high and mighty due to the family's status, but his heart is not bad, and he's quite sharp-witted. If the family is handed over to him in the future, I can pass on with a smile. However, he is too impulsive. I hope you can guide him in this regard."
Hearing the elder's words, Ye Fan was slightly taken aback. It felt as if the elder was making his final arrangements.
However, seeing the elder's sincere gaze, Ye Fan nodded heavily.
"Rest assured, Lao Yezi. We are brothers. I will naturally not stand by and watch him do foolish things. As for the Jiang family, if there's anything I can do to help, I will never refuse."
"With your words, I am at ease."
The elder smiled, a genuine smile from the heart.
Having commanded respect for decades, at his age, his only lingering concern was his descendants.
He took a sip of tea and then said in a low voice, "This treasure map of the Jiang family is temporarily in my possession. Once the other half is found, I will arrange for family members to search for it. If you are interested then, you can accompany Tao'er. You deciphered this secret, and if fate allows, you may gain something from it."
The elder's words were not explicit, but the hidden meaning was simple: as long as Ye Fan had the destiny, whatever was found would be his.
Ye Fan was stunned once more. Not only him, but even Jiang Bo, who was present, frowned.
A flicker of coldness flashed in the depths of his eyes.
Ye Fan intended to refuse, but seeing the fleeting coldness in Jiang Bo's eyes, he swallowed the words that were about to be spoken and let out a wry smile, remaining silent.
"Tomorrow is the birthday of the Shen family's elder. Tao'er will represent the Jiang family. You should also go and see him. After all, they are all prominent figures in Jiang City. Making more connections with such people will benefit your future development."
The elder spoke again, this time advising Ye Fan.
"Lao Yezi speaks wisely. I will attend the Shen family tomorrow. However, I have no interest in socializing with the so-called prominent figures. I am accustomed to a leisurely life. If I were forced to adhere to the etiquette of high society all day, I fear I would feel entirely uncomfortable."
He politely declined the elder, but Ye Fan was speaking the truth.
As a tomb keeper in his past life, living alone, he had long been accustomed to freedom.
In this life, although not as carefree as in his previous existence, he was unwilling to confine himself.
The elder looked at him with a hint of surprise, then a look of contentment spread across his face.
"As for the affairs of you young people, at my age, I can no longer fully comprehend them."
Saying this, he raised his teacup, drank with everyone, and then departed.
After the elder left, many Jiang family members who disliked such occasions also began to leave.
In less than fifteen minutes, only one-third of the people remained.
Ye Fan slowly rose, nodded to Jiang Bo, and was then escorted out of the Jiang family by Jiang Zhitao.
Jiang Zhitao had originally wanted him to stay the night, but since he had to attend the Shen family the next day, Ye Fan did not stay.
Upon returning to his lodging, Shen Tianyin had already sent someone with a long gown.
He tried it on, and it fit quite well. The Sujin fabric was very soft, giving off an air of sophistication and elegance.
Ye Fan was very pleased with this long gown.
After tidying himself up, he fell into a deep sleep.
However, what Ye Fan did not know was that on this very night, downstairs from his apartment complex, two men were constantly watching the floor he resided on...